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The CEO's Paper Bride: Too Late for Love  Novel Cover

The CEO's Paper Bride: Too Late for Love

Madeline "Maddie" Brownwood is a nineteen-year-old college student juggling part-time jobs and the weight of unpaid debts. After losing her mother to illness, she lives with her aunt. That is, until the day a mysterious man appears, turning her world upside down with a shocking request to come with him to the Divenson Mansion and prepare for her wedding. Hunter Divenson, the enigmatic and strikingly handsome CEO of Divenson Mining Corporation, is a brilliant engineer-and a man who always honors his promises. When his longtime driver dies tragically in a car crash caused by a drunk driver, Hunter is left with the man's final wish: to take responsibility for his estranged daughter, Madeline, by marrying her. Left with no other choice, Maddie is swept away to the world of the elite-a world she doesn't belong to. At the Divenson mansion, she is met not with kindness, but cold, judgmental stares from Hunter's parents, who make it clear she is not welcome. Her future sister-in-law despises her. Her future brother-in-law's eyes make her skin crawl. The only warmth she finds comes from a sweet twelve-year-old girl in the household who clings to Maddie like a little sister and makes the overwhelming luxury a little more bearable. Then she meets Hunter. He's everything she didn't expect-charming in front of others, but distant and cold when they are alone. Maddie falls for him despite herself. How could she not? His presence commands attention, and his rare moments of gentleness feel like stolen sunshine. But her heart shattered when he told her the reason for their marriage. "We're married on paper, nothing more. I don't have time for love. And I can't love someone like you. Don't expect that just because we are married, I'll ever love you. All I need is an heir to my empire." The words cut deeper than she thought possible. Maddie was humiliated, heartbroken, and trapped. And she made a decision to divorce her husband. But her request jolts something inside Hunter he didn't know he could feel, the fear of losing her. As she begins pulling away from him, he realizes the truth he'd been too blind to see: he loves his wife. Can Hunter win back the woman he once dismissed? Has Maddie's love for him truly faded or is she simply trying to forget what she can't let go? Will she give her cold, distant husband one last chance or walk away from the only man who ever made her feel something real?
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Chapter 6

Hunter's POV

"What? Are you kidding, Mr. Divenson?" Calixto asked me with wide eyes.

"Do I look like joking to you?"

"No, Sir." He replied.

"Then, I am not joking. Besides that, I wish you to process all the papers needed for the wedding. I want the Mayor to do the ceremony at our estate near the Lake. I prefer a garden wedding, and it is a private event. I don't want anyone from the media to know about anything about my marriage. I demand you to prepare the invitations, but I suggest my wife to be to choose her gown, the cake, and her shoes." I mentioned, and He is looking at me like I grew some horns.

"Ask her also if she has a friend she wants to invite to the wedding." I continued.

"So, I guess our meeting is over now, Cal," I added.

"What if she won't cooperate?" He appealed.

"What you mean?" I inquired.

"I mean, what if Ms. Madeline will reject the offer to be your wife?" He inquired, and it is my turn to look shocked.

"You think she can resist my charm, Calixto?" I asked him.

"I realize she can't, but I am the one who will do the convincing unless you are the one who will take her in person. I am certain she will not refuse. She doesn't recognize you, Sir." He said.

"I am confident she will, judging her personality, Maddie will do all she can to help her aunt pay all the bills. Once you have paid everything, I am sure she will come to you without hesitation." I declared.

"Tell also my future wife. I will allow her to continue her studies. It is a waste if she won't pursue her dreams, she is a brilliant woman, and I don't want her to stop pursuing her dream. I can declare she is smart." I said.

"And gorgeous," Calixto added, and I want to say something, but I hold my mouth shut.

I keep walking around in my office, and I can't wait for the progress of Calixto's job. He will meet Madeline today, and I hope she will come without being forced. I got nervous, thinking she might refuse the offer. I felt glad that I had paid all her aunt's debts off, and she doesn't need to work part-time anymore. Her life will be better. Once she stays in the mansion, she will have her maid, and I will see to it; Madeline will have anything that she needs. It was already late in the afternoon when Cal called me.

"Mr. Divenson, everything is well, your future wife is here, and I already introduced her to your family. And I think you are going to fall in love with your wife, Sir." He said, and his words made me, furrowed my forehead.

"Stop talking nonsense, Cal. Of all the people you know I am not marrying for love, please tell Cerila to look after my bride for me. Tell Madeline she can choose any dress from the closet, and I bought it all for her." I answered.

"I already did, Mr. Divenson, so are you leaving from the office now?" He asked.

"In a while, please inform my family. They should wait for me." I spoke and ended the call. Since Frank died, I didn't hire a personal driver anymore. I drive my car. I don't want to be in the same scenario again, and I am afraid to lose another person close to me. I can't take it anymore. I put my things at the back of my white SUV, and I can't help myself thinking about my upcoming meeting with my wife to be.

As my car climbs the hills in traveling to Divenson Mansion, I can't stop myself from getting enthusiastic, and I detest myself from going through this way. I am surrounded by different women every time I attend social gatherings, but I never felt excited. I haven't met this woman, but her face haunted me from seeing her pictures. I can feel the sweat on my palms, and I loathe myself feeling this way. I must be crazy for having this anxiety of meeting her.

She is just an ordinary girl, and I don't require to be in love with her. I should marry her on paper, and I only demand an heir, and my parents will stop bothering me. They keep on asking when I am getting married since they want to have a grandchild. I never expect Frank will give me this kind of opportunity. I never think about this possibility before, and his dying wish made my parents' dreams come true. I always hate it when they ask me who I am dating or when I will bring my girlfriend home, and now I know it shocked them that Cal introduces my bride-to-be.

Madeline is the perfect candidate since she has no family, only her aunt, who wants nothing from her but money. And now she has her new family, and I just hope she will enjoy her stay at the Divenson Estate. I felt my dad wouldn't allow me to move out, but I need to explain to him I want to live in a contemporary home with my new wife. I can't stop my excitement, and I showed up with thirty minutes to spare before dinner. I immediately go to the feasting hall to meet her, but to my dismay, she hasn't appeared yet in the dining room.

My parents and siblings are already seated in the dining room, and they all greeted me. The moment I get inside. My little sister Lily told me about Madeline.

"Hunter, your bride-to-be is lovely and beautiful. I am glad that Madeline is going to be your wife." She said and smiled at me, and every time she smiles, my heart felt so warm among all my siblings. She is the closest to me because she is still a child and no interest in the firm. At the same time, my brother and sister can always feel their jealousy towards me, but what can I do? I am the eldest child, and it has been a tradition in our family that the eldest boy will inherit the business, and the siblings will receive shares.

If I could only follow what I wish, I yearn to build my empire and work from scratch, but I need to help my dad to rebuild our business since it fell apart. The firm was lost when I took over. I tried my best to gain investors, and in three years, I could get it back to its original state. I was afraid that what my forefathers worked for will go to waste. I know it was not an easy tasked, but our company survives, and it is now earning triple. I felt so proud of my achievement. That is why I never give myself a chance to be with women. I don't like distractions. I want fame and success.

I heard approaching footsteps, and the moment I turn around, I found Cerila followed by the most splendid woman I have ever seen. How could Frank's daughter be this beautiful? I couldn't help myself but smile at her, and the minute she smiles back at me, my heart skips a beat. Her pure white teeth are shining, and even her smile reached the inner core of my body. I could tell she stands five feet and seven inches more or less. Her height is suitable for my six-feet two inches, and I realized she is more beautiful up close, and I got electricity to travel my spine. Who is this woman, and what is she trying to do with my heart?

I never went through this kind of attraction before, but I should remind myself of her sole purpose why she is here. I don't need to love at the moment, but I can't stop myself from taking my time to take this opportunity to enjoy my future bride. And I can't stop the pull that I went through. It was too strong that I stand up and meet her with a broad smile on my face. And for the first time, I seemed like I am smiling like an idiot.

"I am sorry, Maddie, if I wasn't here when you arrived, I promise I will make it up to you," I said, and before she can reply, I claim her perfect mouth. The moment I savor her lips, I can taste its sweetness, and I can tell Madeline, who has no experience in kissing, could kiss like a pro. I want to kiss her more, but I am aware we are in front of my entire family; I only need to greet her to let them know we are an actual couple, but why I am planning to kiss her more. It tasted so wonderful, and I can say she enjoyed our quick kissed. We both kissed hungrily, and by the time I stopped brushing her, she holds my arm for support, and I felt so glad that I am still holding her slender waist.

"So, eager to kiss me, Ms. Brownwood?" I whispered in her ear, and I nibbled her ear before I let her go. And I can perceive she got goosebumps all over her skin, and I can't stop myself from grinning. I draw a dining chair and assisted her in sitting down, and then I take out a chair and sit beside her. The time I raised my head, I can look at my family members are smiling at us. And I felt glad they love Madeline.

"Shall we start our dinner, now?" I asked, and my mom smiled.

"Of course, dear." My mother replied sweetly to me. The food is all mouthwatering, but the kiss I shared with Madeline erased my hunger, and it feels like I already ate my dessert, and I can't wait to kiss her again later; I need those enticing lips, I wish to kiss her until her lips become swollen.

"You should eat, my love; I don't wish you to look skinny on our wedding day; I admire your gorgeous body, so maintain that for me?" I spoke when I noticed she is not eating her food, and it feels like I am not the only one who became full after the kiss.

She nodded, and I can tell my nearness makes her feel excited I realized Maddie is falling in love with me; well, it is okay since she should love me, and I don't need to cherish her in return.. It would be enough for I will make her the happiest bride after our marriage, and she will satisfy my needs by giving me a child.

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